Monday, October 14, 2024

Georgia & Armenia 2024

You are at - Jotaro's Blog /AhPek Biker-Footsteps /Cycling Europe/Georgia & Armenia 2024
                                     AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures                                   
Georgia & Armenia 2024

Georgia & Armenia 17th September to 1st October 2024
(See day-to-day blogs for more detailed routes)
When I mentioned that I would be visiting Georgia, friends suggested that we should visit Atlanta. But they got it wrong, but I can't blame them as many mix up the country Georgia with the American state Georgia!
    Georgia and Armenia are in fact much, much older, as they have been inhabited since prehistory, hosting the world's earliest known sites of winemaking, gold mining, and textiles. In the early fourth century, Georgians and Armenians officially adopted Christianity; making them the earliest to do so. Together with Azerbaijanand parts of Southern Russia, they form the Caucasus. When we mention someone is Caucasian, it would generally mean that they are white or  European. But now I know better that they were from the region of the Caucasus Mountains.
    Now suitably enlightened, let's see what the tour holds!

BLOGS
Below are the daily blogs of our tour, click on the respective photos to read, further below are some travel trips for this region. It was an eye-opening tour, so come and have a look:


 BLOGS COMING SOON..... 

 STAY TUNED!!! 



(Next...  Sabah, Malaysia!)

(Click here for Days 1-7 the Georgia & Armenia 2024 Tour Route Map)
See respective daily blogs for detailed daily route maps.

Georgia & Armenia 2024 Days 8-14 Overall Travel Route Map:

Kuala Lumpur>Malaysian Airlines>Qatar Airways>Doha>Qatar Airways>Tbilisi (Georgia)>the following by coach>Yerevan (Armenia)>Dilijan>Tbilisi (Georgia)>Stepantsminda>Kutaisi>Mestia>Tbilisi>Qatar Airways>Doha>Qatar Airways>Kuala Lumpur.
(Click here for Days 8-14 of the Georgia & Armenia 2024 Tour Route Map)
See respective daily blogs for detailed daily route maps.
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TRAVEL TIPS FOR GEORGIA & ARMENIA

Below are some general tips on travelling in Georgia & Armenia:

1. Traffic Directions!
    Driving in Georgia is left-hand drive, with a speed limit of 60 km/h in cities and towns, and 80 km/h in other areas unless indicated otherwise. Armenia is also left-hand drive, so in both Georgia and Armenia drive/cycle on the right.

2. Getting to and around Georgia & Armenia.
    ? Major airlines serve both Georgia & Armenia. We flew from KLIA Terminal 1 into and out of Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport via Qatar Airways, with transit at Doha. It would have been time-saving into Armenia via Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport; but we naively erred on the side of caution. Our airfares were bought during the MATA Travel Fair via promotions by the RHB Debit Card, the return fare cost us between MYR a to b.?
    We got around both countries by using a local long-chassis Mercedes Sprinter Van with an extended rear luggage section for the 16 of us. and a Mercedes V-Class 7-seater van for another four of us who enlisted later. The rides were generally comfortable as most were on tarred roads with some stretches of gravel roads.
    For harsher rides we used smaller local vans with drivers familiar to the rougher, steeper roads - this was to the Gergeti Trinity ChurchUshguli VillageKoruldi Lakes and Chalaadi Glacier.
    There were a couple of free days to explore Tbilisi by ourselves, but it is possible to use the Uber Georgia app to get further around. Other ride-hailing alternatives are Bolt, Yandex and Taxi Maxim.

3. Immigration & Customs Requirements
    For Georgia, citizens of Malaysia do not need a visa to enter for travel purposes and can stay in the country for 365 days without a visa. The travel passport must be valid throughout the whole period of stay in Georgia. A blank page is necessary for an entry stamp. Click here for a list of countries that need visa entry. Click here for Georgia E-visa application portal and click here for guidelines on the E-visa application which costs USD20.
    For Armenia, visas have to be applied by Malaysians, which cost USD28. Click here for Armenia visa application policy, and click here for the E-visa application portal. 
Keep a soft copy in your phone to show to immigration,  and a hard copy just in case.
    For both countries, after clearing immigration, one will have to go through customs. We had to carry our luggage personally through. They are green lanes for those with nothing to declare; for duty-free good exemption, click here for Georgia's regulations, and here for Armenia's. Our vans had to go through the vehicles' lanes.
    For those bringing in personal medication (up to 31 days usage) into Georgia, do get a prescription from your doctor; click here for guidelines.

4. Places & Things of Interests  
    There were many scenic and interesting places of interest, but one should not miss the following (Note: click here for POIs Map & on the GPS coordinates for a directional map to the respective places):
    
a. Streets of Old Tibilisi (GPS: a).     b. Night Views of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (GPS: a).     c. Koruldi Lakes (GPS: a) in Mestia. d. Gigantic Stone Head Sculptures (GPS: a) by Merab Phiranishvili in the village of Sno.
e. Svaneti Tower Houses in Ushguli (GPS: a).
f. Symphony of Stones (GPS: a) in Garni, Armenia.
g. Yerevan Cascade Complex and the adjacent People's Park (GPS: a) in Yerevan.
h. Night Views of the Republic Square (GPS: a) in Yerevan.

5. Food
    Georgian Food and Armenian Food have distinct character while bearing some similarities with various national cuisines of the South Caucasus, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. There is a wide range of food there but one should not miss the following:
    - Zhingal Hats (Bread stuffed with cilantro & spring onions).
- Gata, an Armenian sweet bread.
  - Chacha, a Georgian brandy.
- Visit a winery to experience the traditional qvevri wine making.

6. Tour Costs
    Return air tickets bought during the MATA Travel Fair/RHB Debit Card promotions were between MYR 2,800 to 3,200.
    The ground arrangements tour package included a 10-passenger van to take us around, starting from & returning to Tbilisi. It also included 3-star hotels/homestays. Charge per pax for this ground arrangement was at MYR7,400. This excluded meals (other than hotel breakfasts & 3 dinners at Mestia), airport transfers, most entry tickets and tips. This allows for individuals to have meals according to their own liking & budget. Allow per meal should be adequate.
    On average, the overall tour cost worked out to be around RM950 to RM1,000 per day. For those interested in this tour, contact Eddie at +6012-6122600 for more details and updated cost.

7. Communicating with Each Other
    When travelling in a group it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest. Georgia pre-paid sim cards are easily available and costs 5 GEL to 20 GEL, depending on the provider and the included benefits. While Armenian pre-paid sim cards cost ranges from AMD 1000 to AMD 3000. Those in our tour group pre-ordered their sim cards through our Georgian guide.
    Those who use Maxis as their telco, can purchase the Maxis Roaming Pass. The RM89  15-day Multi-country Roaming Pass covers many countries including Georgia, Armenia and Qatar.
     The Pass can be bought before the trip with a designated starting time/date, BUT DO TURN OFF your data roaming just before the Roaming Pass expires OTHERWISE any subsequent usage will automatically trigger off the 1-Day Roaming Pass costing between RM29 to RM38 per day!

8. Communicating with Locals
    At favourite tourist destinations, locals may speak fairly good English. At the smaller towns, locals speak some rudimentary English, and our local guide was most helpful in translating for us.
    
9. Weather
      Day temperatures in the lowlands for both countries in September is around the mid-20s while evening temperatures are around the mid-10s. Up in the highlands (like Stepantsminda & Mestia) day temperatures are in the mid-10s and can close to zero at night. We were fortunate that there was a warm front, and temperatures were warmer than expected.
     Useful weather forecast sites for Georgia & Armenia is AccuWeather. For more detailed weather, including cloud cover and wind speed, use Weatherspark and Ventusky.

10. Navigation
    I used MapMyRide to track our routes and stops. Geo-tagging of places of interest was via FaceBook or Google Maps.
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September 2024 Foodie Roundup

You are at - Jotaro's Blog /AhPek Biker-Footsteps /Cycling Europe/Georgia & Armenia 2024
If you like this, view my other blogs at Jotaro's Blog
(comments most welcomed below. If you like this pls share via Facebook or twitter)

Sunday, October 6, 2024

AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up: 2024 September

You are at - Jotaro's Blog/AhPek Biker/AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up/... 2021/2022/2023/2024>September<...Go To ..... Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr/May/Jun/July/Aug/Oct/Nov/Dec
                                     AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures                                   
AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up:
September 2024
A 2-week holiday to Georgia & Armenia exposed us to many delicious GeorgianArmenian & Caucasian food; including Khinkali DumplingsKofta (spiced meatballsKhachapurilavash bread, gata sweet breadZhingyalov hatsNigvziani Badrijani, & Guda Cheese, and also good Georgian wineArmenian wines,Chacha (Georgian vodka).
Stay tuned at AhPek Biker's FB posts for daily updates!
(Click on photos to link & comment at the original FB post, and also to get geo-tags of the eats places)
(NOTE: If you can't see the posts, please log out from your FaceBook first; to see ride blogs click here)


Steamed Soong Yee Fish at  Big Tree Lin Kee Steam Fish Head ( 大树头连记蒸鱼头), Bandar Menjelara, Kepong, KL - 1st September


Taiwanese Desserts at ZhaoJi Desserts, Bandar Menjelara, Kepong, KL - 1st September


Watan Hor Noodles with Fish Fillet at Restoran Yuan Kee, Tmn Bkt Maluri, Kepong, KL- 2nd September


Curry Noodles at Sam Gor Kopitiam (三哥茶餐室), Taman Kepong, KL – 7th September


Tofu Fah from Mobile Stall At Jln Jinjang Setia 7, KL – 7th September


"Light" Banana-leaf Rice Lunch at the Royal Selangor Club, KL – 7th September


Hawker Fare at Hua Ren Jie Restoran, Kepong Menjalara, KL – 8th September


Indian Dinner at Abadi Cafeteria Taman Tun Dr. Ismail - 9th September


Family Dinner at VietThai Restaurant, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail – 10th September


Western Fare at Pig Out Café, Kelana Square, PJ – 12th September


Take-away Bingsu from at Binq Dessert, Seri Hartamas, KL – 14th September 


Meals Before Boarding Qatar Airways Flight to Doha at Plaza Premium Lounge, KLIA, Sepang, Selangor – 16th September


Meals on Board Qatar Airways Flight QR4992 from Kuala Lumpur to Doha – 17th September


Meals on Board Qatar Air Flight QR255 Doha To Tblisi – 17th September


White Coffee for Lactose Intolerant AhPek


Georgian Dinner At Restaurant Bamba, Tbilisi – 17th September


Breakfast with a view at the penthouse of Penthouse Hotel, Tbilisi, Georgia – 18th September


Fruits Vendor Outside the ARM-ART Supermarket, Ptghavan, Armenia – 18th September


Grilled River Fish & Roasted Spring Chicken Lunch at Haghpat Tavern – 18th September


Gata Armenian Sweet Bread at Haghpat Tavern – 18th September


Snack Time at Tezh Krak, Spitak -18th September


Nur Fresh Juice House, Yerevan - 18th September


Caucasian Dinner with Armenian Folk Music at Tavern Yeravan, Armenia – 18th September


Breakfast at Bloom Hotel, Yerevan, Armenia – 19th September


Armenian & Western Lunch at Seasons Restaurant, Yerevan – 19th September


Spaghetti & Pizza Dinner, Mozarella Restaurant, Yerevan – 19th September


Breakfast at Bloom Hotel, Yeravan, Armenia – 20th September


Colourful Armenian Market, Yeravan, Armenia – 20th September


Vineyard at Mulberry House Near Khor Virap Monastery, Armenia – 20th September


Zhingal Hats Bread at Mulberry House Near Khor Virap Monastery, Armenia – 20th September


Food Galore at Tsovagyugh Supermarket, Armenia – 20th September


Dinner at Food Court Tsovagyugh, Armenia – 20th September


Cozy Breakfast at Casanova Inn, Dilijan, Armenia – 21st September


Freshly Plucked Plums, Artsiv Guesthouse, Dilijan, Armenia – 21st September


Takeaway Shaurmyan Wrap Lunch from Dzek at Dilijan Town, Armenia – 21st September


Coffee & Ice-cream At Petrol Station Opposite WW2 Memorial, Alverdi, Armenia – 21st September


Wantan Noodles Dinner at Hong Kong Noodle House, Old Tbilisi, Georgia – 21st September


Breakfast at Boutique Hotel Manufactura, Tbilisi – 22nd September


Fruits Galore at the Family Winery Rostomaant Marani – 22nd September


Wine Making at the Rostomaant Marani Family Winery – 22nd September


Grape Harvesting at the Rostomaant Marani Family Vineyards – 22nd September


Georgian Guda Cheese at Barbecue Lunch, Rostomaant Marani Family Vineyards – 22nd September


Enjoying Georgian Wine (Video) at the Rostomaant Marani Family Vineyard - 22nd September


Wine Drinking & Barbecue Lunch at the Rostomaant Marani Family Vineyard – 22nd September


Chacha Georgian Vodkha -22nd September


Dinner at Plan B (RnR) on Route S5 near Sartichala – 22nd September


Breakfast at Boutique Hotel Manufactura, Tbilisi – 23rd September


Kvass Ale at the Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta -23rd September


Chacha and Anaseuli Souvenir Bottles at Shops at Zhinvali Reservoir - 23rd September


Georgian Lunch at Gorda Restaurant Along the Aragvi River – 23rd September


Home-style Georgian Dinner at Beba's House, Stepantsminda - 23rd September


Breakfast at Hotel Kazbegi 1963, Stepantsminda - 24th September


Wine Cellar, Dariali Monastery Complex, Dariali – 24th September


Lunch at Monastery Viewpoint Restaurant, next to the Dariali Monastery – 24th September


Shopping at Spar, Stepantsminda – 24th September


Dinner at Restaurant Tiba, Stepantsminda – 24th September


Breakfast at Hotel Kazbegi 1963, Stepantsminda - 25th September


Roadside Shop With Interesting Local Goods, Along the S3 (Mtskheta- Stepantsminda-Larasi) Highway – 25th September


Lunch at Gogi Dvalishvili Wine Cellar, Khidistavi – 25/9


Winery and Apiary at Gogi Dvalishvili Wine Cellar – 25th September


Dinner at Smart Supermarket, Argveta – 25th September


Breakfast Prestige Guest House, Kutaisi - 26th September


Packing Takeaway Lunch from Carrefour Supermarket, Kutaisi - 26th September


Takeaway Lunch at Tskhradjvari Viewpoint, Kutaisi - 26th September


Thai Dinner at Thai n Co, Kutaisi - 26th September


Ice cream Snacks at Luca Polare, Kutaisi - 26th September


Breakfast Prestige Guest House, Kutaisi – 27th September


Martvili Farmers Market, Martvili – 27th September


Lavasi Bread from Bakery near Cafe Fanti, Jvari – 27th September


Lunch at Cafe Fanti, Jvari – 27th September


Georgian Dinner at Margiansha House,v Mestia – 27th September


Breakfast at Margiansha House, Mestia - 28th September


Kada Pie (walnut with honey) at Cafe Nita, Ushguli - 28th September


Hotel Pre-packed Lunch at Stopover Cafe near Church of Kala, Ushguli - 28th September


Georgian Dinner at Margiansha House, Mestia - 28th September


Georgian Dinner Toast at Margiansha House, Mestia - 28th September


"High" on AIA Georgian Beer at Margiansha House, Mestia - 28th September


Breakfast at Margiansha House, Mestia - 29th September


Lunch at Lushnu Qor Restaurant Beer Garden. Mestia - 29th September


Coffee Break at Coffee Kor, Mestia - 29th September


Roast Piglet Dinner at Margiansha House, Mestia - 29th September


Pre-packed Hotel Breakfast at Restaurant Tobari, Lukhi - 30th September


Nazuki Georgian Sweet Bread from Road-side Stall Near Surami - 30th September


Brunch at Waymart along the Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze Hwy, near Skra - 30th September


Japanese Dinner at Ramekai / Orbeliani, Tblisi - 30th September


You are at - Jotaro's Blog/AhPek Biker/AhPek Facebook Foodie Round-up/... 2021/2022/2023/2024>September<...Go To ..... Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr/May/Jun/July/Aug/Oct/Nov/Dec
If you like this, view my other blogs at Jotaro's Blog
(comments most welcomed below. If you like this pls share via Facebook or twitter)